Theyab Awana

International career Youth Theyab played for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first match of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup against South Africa.

Senior Theyab was brought to worldwide fame for the penalty kick scored with a back-heel in a friendly match against Lebanon on 17 July 2011. In the 78th minute, with the score at 5–2, a penalty was given to the UAE. Theyab took the penalty and, halfway through his path to the ball, he turned around and kicked the ball into the goal with his right heel. The coach reacted badly on the effort, and Theyab was immediately subbed off for the bad reception he received for the penalty. The incident was brought to prominence after a video of the kick was put on YouTube, which currently has over 2,800,000 views. The match ended 6–2 for the UAE.

Death and legacy Awana died on 25 September 2011, aged 21, in a car accident in Abu Dhabi. According to reports, his Audi Q7 SUV crashed on the Sheikh Zayed Bridge when he was returning to Abu Dhabi from Al Ain after the end of a training session for the national team. The report stated he was using his phone at the time of the accident. Awana died at the scene. Rumours surfaced that his brother was also with him in the car during the time of the accident and rushed into intensive care before dying several hours later. However, Baniyas Club denied this rumor.

He was buried on 26 September 2011, immediately after the Asr prayer, in the Baniyas Cemetery in Shamkha, Abu Dhabi. A month after Awana's death, the United Arab Emirates Football Association christened a newly built stadium in Dubai the "Theyab Awana Stadium". A mosque in Kuwait was also named after him.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours Baniyas UAE Division 2 Group A: 2008–09 United Arab Emitates U17 GCC U-17 Championship: 2006 United Arab Emirates U19 AFC U-19 Championship: 2008 United Arab Emirates U23 GCC U-23 Championship: 2010 Asian Games silver medal: 2010